Tie the mighty Columbia River to Mt. Hood through Wasco County’s hill country and the verdant Hood River Valley along ribbons of backcountry singletrack. The mountain, the forest, the prairie, and the river all converge here, creating a varied splendor of geology, flora, fauna, and many layers of human history.
Ride along the Columbia River and imagine running the Celilo rapids on a wooden raft. Wind through the undulating grain fields of Dufur, and ascend Fifteenmile Creek into scrub oak savannah. Slowly you transition into towering ponderosas as you gain elevation, then past golden larches. You’ll soon be graced with frequent looming views of Mt. Hood as you descend Surveyor’s Ridge into Parkdale and the fruit orchards of Hood River Valley. Climb once again through the forest, this time to Waucoma Ridge’s shady old growth forests and enjoy a ripping descent through the legendary Post Canyon trail system. From here it’s a relatively relaxed pedal back to The Dalles through Hood River, the Mosier Tunnels, and over Rowena Crest along the Historic Columbia River Highway.